Joe: Alright, so we're talking about Leviticus 21! Tell me what this chapter is all about!

Bible Expert: Leviticus 21 is focused on the holiness of the priests. It contains laws that the priests have to abide by in order to remain holy and acceptable to God.

Joe: Wow, okay. So what kind of laws are we talking about here?

Bible Expert: Well, the main law of the chapter is that no priest can become defiled by contact with a dead body. They must remain pure in order to perform their duties in the temple. There are also other laws about the appearance of the priests. For example, they must not shave their heads, trim their beards, or cut their bodies as part of a mourning ritual.

Joe: That's pretty wild! I mean, what was the purpose of all this?

Bible Expert: The purpose was to ensure that the priests were set apart and holy. They were to be the representatives of God to the people and so their holiness was necessary for that. By following these laws, the priests were able to remain holy and acceptable to God.

Joe: Interesting. So what happens if a priest does break these laws?

Bible Expert: If a priest does break these laws, then he will be cut off from the people and from the priesthood. He will no longer be allowed to perform his duties in the temple or offer sacrifices to God.